There is a saying that a gentleman’s watch says a lot about his personality. A watch is not only a timepiece, it is a treasure. Whether you buy a new watch or a quality second-hand time piece from Chronoexpert, a good watch can keep time consistently over a lifetime and even generations after generations.
However, you need to take good care of your watch; otherwise, no matter how good the craftsmanship is your watch last a lifetime. Here are some important tips for taking care of your watch.
Cleaning your Watch
You should clean your watch regularly otherwise it will lose its fine appearance. Too much accumulation of dirt may also cause damage to the watch. Additionally, specific watch components need special treatment:
Leather Bands
You need to first remove the strap and use a dry soft cloth or microfiber cloth to wipe it. Then dampen the cloth, squeeze it to remove excess water, and apply some gentle soap on it to clean the strap in small circular motions. Use a clean cloth to remove the soap residue. Let the strap dry naturally: do not put it under direct sunlight or use a hairdryer.
Metal Bands
Metal watch bands are more prone to damage as dirt can easily accumulate on the links. Take a bowl of lukewarm, soapy water. Then dip the strap in the water. Use a soft cloth to remove the debris. You can use a wet soft-bristled toothbrush to get into the crevices of the band and remove the dirt.
Other Bands
You can clean watches having a rubber or fabric strap in similar ways. In the case of a smartwatch, you can either use a soft dry or damp cloth to wipe it, just make sure you turn it off first if you use a damp cloth. If you don’t clean your watch regularly, you may need to replace it, so it is advisable to clean your watch every two to three months.
Crystal Care
Watches have crystals that cover the face of the watch. The crystal can be of sapphire, glass, mineral, or resin compound. Some crystals are scratch-resistant; whereas, others are not. You should keep your watch away from sharp objects like knives, keys, or coins. If there are too many scratches, then you should replace the crystal, otherwise the watch may not function properly. Always keep the crystal clean by wiping it with a microfiber cloth.
Water Resistance
Water can damage your watch. It is always better to take off your watch when coming in contact with water unless you’re sure that it’s waterproof or water resistant. You will see the water resistance mark on the back of the watch. A 3 ATM/bar indicates that the watch can withstand rain or splash of water; whereas a watch with 20 ATM/bar is suitable for diving or professional marine activities.
Hot water or steam can also damage your watch, so wearing it when doing a sauna or taking a steam bath is a bad idea. After you come out of the water, even if your watch is water-resistant, you should immediately wipe it with a dry soft cloth.
Storing Watches
It is highly recommended that you store your watch in its original box. Alternatively, you can keep it in a soft cloth bag or special watch boxes. You should have silica gel in the boxes as they can absorb the excess moisture and protect your watch. If you don’t store your watch properly, it may be scratched or damaged.
Professional Servicing
Just like your car, watches need regular servicing to ensure that they keep the time properly. Some parts of the watch may need to be lubricated; whereas, other parts like the teeth or cogs may need to be replaced. The professionals will fully polish your watch and do a deep cleaning. Many watches provide a period of warranty and so the cost of servicing will be covered. You should take your watch for servicing every one or two years; otherwise, it may suddenly stop giving you time.
Protect from Chemicals and Sunlight
Never let your watch come in contact with harsh chemicals, colognes, and perfumes. These can corrode the metal parts of the watch and make leather straps weak. So, if you apply perfume or cologne to your wrist, make sure to allow some time for it to dry it off before wearing the watch.
Always make sure that your watch is not exposed to the sun for a long time. The sun’s ultraviolet rays cause the color of the watch to fade. It may also negatively affect battery life.
No Magnetic Exposure
If watches are exposed to magnetic objects, they may not function properly. So, you shouldn’t bring the watch near any magnetic object. If you watch comes in contact with such an object accidentally, you should immediately take it to a repair shop.
Don’t Open The Watch Yourself
If you ever need to open your watch for any reason, don’t do it yourself. Take it to a technician. If you do it yourself, you may cause damage to some parts which may later be hard to repair.
Finally, whenever you buy a new watch, read the manual carefully. The manual will tell you about the water-resistance and other important qualities of the watch which will help you to take proper care of it. If you can take good care of your watch, then it will last a lifetime.
